COMPARATIVE MUSCULAR STRENGTH OF MEN AND WOMEN - REVIEW OF LITERATURE

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 47  (5) , 534-542
Abstract
The results from 9 separate studies reporting comparable static and dynamic muscle strength measurements between men and women were reviewed. The statistical data from these studies are presented in graphical and tabular form illustrating, when appropriate, the mean .+-. 1 S.D., and the mean percentage difference between men and women for the given measurement. The following differences in strength measurements were observed: upper extremity strength measurements in women ranged from 35-79% of men''s, averaging 55.8%; lower extremity strength measurements in women ranged from 57-86% of men''s, averaging 71.9%; trunk strength for women ranged from 37-70% of men''s, averaging 63.8%; dynamic strength indicators revealed that women were from 59-84% as strong as men, with an average of 68.6%. In view of the wide range of mean percentage differences in muscle strength measurements between men and women, the importance of exercising extreme care in making extrapolations from such data is emphasized, and a method is recommended for making such extrapolations when the absence of direct measurements makes this necessary.

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